Retractable spray deflector



y 1950 B. w. POWERS 2,513,585

RETRACTABLE SPRAY DEFLECTOR 7 Filed Feb. 20, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1ZSnnentor Bra oFord W. Powers TE- E July 4, 1950 B. w. POWERSRETRACTABLE SPRAY DEFLECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20, 1947Snnentqr Brac/Pord 14 Powers Patented July 4, i956 Bradford W. Powers,San Diego, Calif., assignor to Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation;.San Diego, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application February 20,1947, serial No. 729,766

Claims. (01. 244-106) This invention relates to improvements in flyingboat hulls and more particularly to a retractable spray deflectoradapted to be incor- 'porated in flying boat hulls both of ratherconventional type and in highly streamlined hulls.

In the past, the air speed of flying boats has been considerably reducedby the necessity for designing the hull of the-flying boat onhydrodynamic principles, since the, hullhas to be so designed that itwill serve as an efficient planing surface for the aircraft duringtake-off. Such hydrodynamic lines are frequently very ineflicient froman aerodynamic standpoint and extensive research has been made in anendeavor to properly integrate the most eflicient aerodynamic andhydrodynamic features in aflying boat hull whichwould give maximumperformance on the water and in the air.

Recently, the tendency to streamline aircraft fuselages has beenextremely marked and efforts have been madeto conform to this tendencyin a source of drag. Nevertheless prior flying boat hulls have .founditnecessary to utilize this type of construction ince'when the hull of aflying boat is passing through the .water preparatory to take-off, thesharp edgeconstruction serves to deflect the spray developed by thepassage of the boat through the .water and prevents it from buffetingthe propellers and control surfaces of the aircraft. The sharp edgeconstruction also "2 incorporation in flying boats. spray deflector isincorporated inthe hull ap proximately along the line of the hull wherethe sharp edge would customarily be located. vWhen the boat is about totake off the retractable spray deflector is extended from'its housingwithin the hull and during the" take-off periodfunction's to afford ahull operatingjin the same manner as and having theeffe'ctiveness of aconventional hull with its sharp edge construction. When the flying boatis airborne the spray deflector is retracted Within its housing and theflying boat hull assumes its maximum aerodynamic efficiency. a 7

It is one object of the present invention to provide a retractable praydeflector for flying boat hulls which ,canbe extended into the waterduri'ng'thetake'ofi and landing periods'and can be retracted into thehu'll of the flying boat when the flying boat isairborne,

It is another object of thisinvention to provide a'retractable spraydeflector for flying boat hulls which are designed -to such aerodynamicstand ards as would inhibit the proper functioning of stream produces aturbulent condition and is thus serves as a stabilizing element in thatit provides directional stability for the hull of the boat and inhibitsany tendency. there may be to hunt in the water. The sharp edgeconstruction also serves, to a certain extent, to eliminate porpoisingor the nosing down tendencies which flying a boat hulls frequentlyexhibit.

To permit a flying boat hull to be designed in as complete conformity toaerodynamic principles as is possible, while retaining its hydrodynamicefficiency, theretractable spray dethe boat hull in the water unlesssuch a retract able spray deflector were incorporated in the hull".Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a reading of. the appended'specification and the accomepanying drawings ,iniwhich; Figure 1' is' a perspective view showing theunderside of a rather conventional flying boat hull which'incorporatesthe retractable spray Figure} is a front elevationalview of the hullshown-in Figure 1; 1 v Figure 31s a front elevational view'ofa highlystr'eamlinedflying boat hull possessing maximum aerodynamic efliciencywhich has embodied therein a retractable spray deflector adapted tosecure hydrodynamic effectiveness for the am dynamically eflicient hull;V a Figure 4 is a vertical sectional' view through the hull of' tl'leflying boat shown-in Figure "1 which-shows the installation in the hullof a retractable spray deflector constructed in accord anceflwi'th the-'-p're'sent invention} 1I Figure dis a vertical sectional viewtaken onFigure" 6 is a longitudinal sectional view' showing the installation ofthe retractable spray: dc flector in"its housing'and indicating theposition H fwill assuinei'n lits e xte nded phase and, .p h'ant'om', theposition "which it will assume resen m nt) The' retractable I Figure '7is a perspective view showing the spray deflector in its extendedposition; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the spray deflector in itsretracted position.

There is shown in the drawings (Figure 1) a typical flying boat l havinga wing I l and power plants 52 mounted in said wings adapted toproaerodynamic efiectivene'ss but will, nevertheless,

insure that the hull willfbe" hydrodynamically stable during the tal're--of'and landing periods;

In Figure 3 there'is showna radi'callystrea nlined flying boat 1 6?which 'comprise'sa wing l"! and: a generally V--'shap'ecf"'iuselageportion t8 which is alsointended toserve, to a certain extent; as anauxiliary aero'dynamiclifting surface in conjunction with'the wing IT.Hullbottom m of. fuselage "l 8*is' so" constituted that 'it'posses'ses amodicum 'of hydrodynamic" eflicien'cy'. However, the incorporation ofretractable spray deflectors 2t, constructedin accordance with thepresent invention, serves to augment thehydrodynamic characteristics ofthe hull bottom l9 and renders the flying boat ahydrodynamically aswellas aerodynamic'ally soun'd'aircra'ft.

There is shown'in'l igure' 4 a vertical sectional view of the flyingboat hullof Figure" 1'. The exterior skin 21 of the fu's'e lage l3"i's'supported by an internal bulkhead2'2 which has out therethrough, anobliquecut' 23"wh'i'cli' forms a receptacle for the housing 24*of atypical retractable spray deflector 32'. Itisv to be understood that nsuch openings are cut'gin' adjacent bulkheads to permit the installationof "the housihg24, through out" the length of the; The retractablespray. deflector housing, Zfiicomprises sidewalls 2:5}. atop wa1'12eandend'walls 2T. The housing is'isolated from the interior of the fuselagel3 andis of water proof 'construck tion. Formedin the'lower'ends ofsideWalls '25fare' iht'egral flanges 28 which. ,provideattachment points bymeans ofwl ficli the housing is attached to the fuselage. lZhat portion.of the bu1khead22 whichprovides arecept'aclefor the housing isstrengthenedby gusset plates 29wh-ich permit the bulkhead to absorb thestresses placed upon it by the housing and .the spray-deflector.

Adapted to be retracted into. housing 24- but shown, for purposes; of:clarity, in the extended position in Figures 4, :-and; 6, is theretractable spray deflector 32. A multiplicity of link members .33which. are pivotally: secured at their upper ends asrby meansof shafts-34 passing through the walls-.25. of housing 24 -serve; as S115? pensionmembers-ior the retractable spray deflector 32. The upper-ends of'thelinks -33 have formed thereupon stop plates-3|lywhichtprevent the.movement. of the spray; deflector beyond its fully extended position andwhich: seat on the inside of 7 top 1 wall. 26 of. spraydeflector-housing 24.- Thelower ends o links 3'3Yhave'stop plates 39"formed thereuponfand integrallyv therewith triangular mountings lugs orplates 36, as by spray deflector 32 and which serve to "prevent hull:bottom I 4*.

means of shafts 35 passing throughthe lower portion of said links andthe upper portion of said plates. The lower portion of mounting platesor lugs 38 is secured to the upper portion of the retractablespraydeflector 32. The pivotal suspension of the retractable spray deflector32 upon links 33 permits the spray deflector 32 to be swung upon shafts313 and 35 from a retracted position within the housing 2d to anextended position outboard of the fuselage l3 and The retractable spraydeflector comprises aroughly rectangular longitudinally extended closedbox-like member which is formed by side"wall's"3'T, top wall 40, obliquerear end 38, vertical front wall 39 and a bottom plate 42 Which isadapted to conf iorm to the exterior configuration of the hull bottom Mof fuselage l3. Bulkheadsor st'i'fleners 43 upon which the various wallsof' the spray deflector 32' are assembled provide structural. rigidity.to the spray deflector 32'.

The rear wall 38'of the retractable spray deflector 32 is for'medat an.oblique angle'to permit the bottom pl'atelll to seal the opening in thehull bottom when the spray deflector 32'. is in its fully retracted,position. As can beseen from the drawings; the,rear wall-38 is'extendedrear- Wardly of the openingin the hullbottom Id of the fuselage I 3 whenthe spray deflector is dropped into itsfunctioning position. When thespray deflector 32 is'retracted .into the housing the obliquerearwall3810f; the spray deflector 32permits the bottoms-plate 42 to seal oflthe opening in the hull bottom I4 of fuselage 5-3. The sealing of thehull bottom M of.-fuselage l3by means of the-bottomplate-AZ of spraydeflector 32 prevents turbulence; and eliminated parasitic dragwhen theaircraft becomes airborneawhich would occur if th'eopeni-ngs werenotsealed;

When the spray deflector-3311s inns-extended.

position considerable side loads,- will be-borne by its structure-auditis conceivable that it might possibly become so bound against theinterior structure of housingtfl" that retraction or 6X21 tension mightbecome diflicult. Tocut down the possibility of suchbinding;,thereaistprovided a series: of rubbinglorrr-chafing:stripsr l't" which are mounted on: the upper-edge? ofzth e retractable spraydeflector 32 a-ndvw'ould materially reduce the frictionalv componentswhich will be encoum tered during the' operati'on: of the: srayidefiectex Pivotally: mounted' within the spray deflector housing-Z-Aviscan; actuatin'gl:means;l 5= whichmay conceivably'bet either araulic or electi i'c j'acli having acylindera tihand tai' iston rodut-which extends into: the receptacle formed by the in teri'or ofthe:housing 214i Theextreme enu of the piston" rod 47 is pivota yconhected atAB t-o one endof 'retractable spray deflector 32 by means offlanges 4st Brio to talte-cflthe extensi'oirof piston rod- W Wi ause tnespray-deflector 32' to swing rearwardiyand down-vva-rdly-' onlinlis 33,bringing spray deflector 3..- into 'its-'-extendid position to breal zthe continuityof' the bottom surface of the hull? as sho'wn', and"increasing" the hydrodynamic;efiibiency oi tl'ie flying boat hull duringthe take offj period; once the"iairci"a'ft 'i's airborne the retractionof'pis'to'n rod 4? ills'win'g the spray deflector'f32gupwardly 'afid'inwardiy'on links; into the" interim of'ihous'ir ig, it. Thus theaerodynamic 'efiieienc dfth"e' nun is in no way -impaired by -"theretractable spra'y defl toriz 1 .15. p: 5g; 19. 1

1 There is thus provided a retractable spray d efl'e'ctorwhich is'{desi'gne'd to impart to" a flying b'oat hullof streamlined 1conformation hydrodynamic characteristicswhichwould be lacking if such'la spr-ay deflector were not-"embodied -in thehull. It is, of coursegobvious that the embodiment shownin the drawings and-discussed in detailin theabove -s'peciflcati'on has been utilized to illustrate: the mannerof construction and mode of operation of-th'epresent invention and-it isconceivable that changes' mayi be made I in 'de'tails. oftconstructionwhich will still fall within the scope of the appended claims; .Iclaim;L, 11" .1

1. A hull structurefor aflying boat comprising a plurality of I bodily'movableelongated spray deflector members adapted t'o be housed-"Withinthe hull on opposite sides thereof and extending in the direction of thelength of the hull, means within said hull for suspending said spraydeflector members for movement into and out of housed position said hullhaving elongated openings formed in-either side thereof through whichsaid s'prayd'eflector members are adapted to ex tend to'break thecontinuity of the '-b0tt01n surfaceof the hull, and actuating meanslocated insaid' openings and having operative connections with saidspray deflector members' for movement thereof between housed andextended positions.

2. "A hull structure for af flying boat comprising elongated spraydeflector members disposed on opposite sides of the hull and extendinglongitudinallytherealong, housings .for said spray deflector membersprovided in said .hull, pivoted mounting means .within said housings forsuspending said spray deflector members for movement bodily out of saidhousing to break the continuity of the bottom surface-of the hull andactuating means carried by the'lmll within-said housingsa'nd havingoperativemonnections with said spray deflector membersfo'r moving "saidinembers'into and out of said'liousings; w *"3. A hull'structure fora'flying-boatcompri'sing elongated generally rectangular, box-like spraydeflector members disposed on opposite.

sides of the hull andextending longitudinally therealong, housings forsands-in 'said spray deflector members provided in said hull and havingone side thereof open, pivoted mountingmeans within said housings forsuspending said spray deflector members for movement bodily out of saidhousings to break the continuity of the bottom surface of the hullactuating means mounted within said housings and having operativeconnections with said spray deflector members for moving said membersswingingly into and out of said housings, and said elongated spraydeflector members each having a bottom wall adapted to conform to theexterior profile of the hull and to close the open side of a housing.

4. In a hull for a flying boat, longitudinally extending housings formedwithin the interior of the hull and on each side thereof, swingablymounted elongated, generally rectangular, boxlike spray deflectormembers adapted to be swung bodily into and out of said housings andacting when exteriorly positioned to break the continuity of the bottomsurface of the hull, pivoted means within said housings for supportingsaid spray deflector members for swinging movement, actuating means foreach of said spray deflector members mounted within said housings, andmeans operatively connecting said actuating at-rarest means to one endofits-associated spray deflector member to .permit the actuation thereof,said spray. deflector members eachtha'ving" an oblique end wall providedat the.. end.of .thespray .deflector member oppositetheend to which.-actuating means. is connected. v 2 5. Ines; hull for a flying boat, saidhullhaving longitudinally extending, elongated openings formed in eitherside thereof, housings formed within the interior of said hull andhaving-la n open side juxtaposed'to "said opening, .swingably mountedelongated, generally rectangular, boxlike spray deflector membersadapted to be housed in 'said housings and to be'extended therefromthrough said openings to break the continuity of theibottomsurface ofthe hull, pivoted means within said housings for supporting saidspraydeflector members for movement bodily into and out of said housingsactuating means for each of said spray deflector members mounted withinsaid housings, and means operatively connecting saidractuating means toone end of its associated spray deflector member whereby said spray.deflector. member may be actuated said spraydeflector members eachhaving an: oblique end wall provided at theend of thespray deflectormember opposite the end to which said actuating means is connected, saidspray deflectormembers also each having a bottom wall shapedto conformto the outer configuration of said hull wherebyon retraction of thespraymembers into the :housings the opensides thereof will be closed,said oblique end walls permitting movement of said bottom walls intoposition to close said open sides; I Y 6. In a hull structure having theoppositesides thereof. flat and whichare formed intoa V shape, elongatedspray deflector members .disposed onopposite sides of the hullandextending longitudinally therealong, housings for wholly enclosingsaidspray deflector members provided in said hull, pivoted mounting meanswithin said housings for swingingly suspending'saidspray deflectormembers. for'movement. bodily out of said housings toproject beyond theflat sides of the hull to break the continuity thereof, andactuating.means carried. by. the hull within said housings and having operativeconnections-with said spray deflector membersfor moving said membersbodily into and out of said housings.

'7. A hull structure for a flying boat comprising a plurality of bodilymovable, elongated, generally rectangular, closed box-like spraydeflector members adapted to be housed wholly within the hull onopposite sides thereof and extending in the direction of the length ofthe hull, pivoted means within said hull for suspending said spraydeflector members for swinging movement, stop means provided on saidpivoted means operative to limit the extent of swinging movementthereof, said hull having elongated openings formed in either sidethereof through which said spray deflector members are adapted to extendto break the continuity of the bottom surface of the hull, and actuatingmeans located in said openings and having operative connections withsaid spray deflector members for movement thereof between housed andextended positions.

8. In a hull for a flying boat, longitudinally extending housings formedin said hull and on each side thereof and opening to the exteriorthereof, elongated, generally rectangular, closed box-like spraydeflector members adapted to be positioned within said housings, linkmeans in each of said housings for mounting said spray said I 7deflector memberssionzmoremenh iiodiiyofihrongh openingsimsaidi-housingsrztorbreak theoon: 0f; thea-bottomrsurfaoerof131181111111, said link rmeansohavinglms pivoted 'connect-ion..1at oneposite end pivotaliy nonneotedrtoaarwall zofizitsras: sociated-spray:defiectorimember; said; spray .de-

forming withx-the exterior profile ofi the.-.hvi1z;fmt

closing/the openings said housing whenisaid spray deflec.tor; members.are positioned; within their hemingasanditmtuatingmeanssoarriedxbythe'jhull having-Lpperative- 'xzonneetions with .saidspray;-zdefiecinrnmemhers:fonmovinenaidanembersrswinging-ly intoand out::01: said housings;

In (a;hu1l:for a flying heat, longitudinally: exe tending. housingsformediin said ehuii andionieach side thereof; and opening tdtheiexterior :thereof; elongatedzgenerally rectangular; closeda bore-likewithinasaidi housings, linkimeansin each :Of said housingsiformountingsaid sprayndefleoton mem:-.-. bers for movement; bodi1y.-throughsaid:openings in: said :housings :to. break the continuity of the bottomsurface. of the; hull; said .linkimean-s each havingsa pivotedconnection: at. one end-.1130 a wall oiidtsnhousihg; and havingjtsoppositeaend piv's otally. connected to the top wall 10f itsoassoeiatedspray .defieetor member saiduspray deflector members each [a bottomwall. conformhig with the exterior profile of thee-hull for. closingthe-. openings in said housings when said spray deflector. members. arepositioned within; their housings, andactuatingwmeans:carried by the nunhaving operative connections with said spray defleotor members formoving said members swinging1y-into;and1..out ofsaid:housings,=.said.1ink meanshaving stop means carried ateaeh of theirends engageable. with a housingv wall and'with the:.:top wall: of: :asprayr deflector; member i-to limit: the extent of 1 swinging movementrthereof outofits. housing. v v r 10.; In a hullifor -a flyingboat,said-hull having longitudinally extending, elongated openings formedin..either' side thereof, housings formedv within theyinterior. of. saidhulhand having an open side-juxtaposed toisaid opening-,veiongated;generally; rectangular, 1 closed box-like spray deflectorgmembersadapted to be positioned -'within Mi m said thousinflslwikndmtobemextended: th r r m through said openings to break the continuity of'gthe'bottomasuriaoe of: the hull; linkmembers within each of: saidhousings. for supporting said spraygdefieotonmembersaiorswingingmovement bodilzeziinto :andr-outiof; said; housings, said link m mberssachnhaving a. ivo ed onnectiom a one,- end to a. wallyoiiits.- -,housingand having its opposite: end.vpivotallyioonnected-.to-zthe; top w wallof;zit oassoei-atedrsprav. deflector "member; stopmeansucarried;tateeaeh :endr: of: said; links members engageableiwith.:said 1 housing; wall-:and with said spray deflector; member1top,-=wai1;to limit the r extent; of swingin .iinovement on a-spray;defiee or members-out; :of iitsihousin'g gaotuatmg means:.=.for each ofsaid spray deflector members =-mounted withinasaid housings; andmeansioperativeilygconneetings said actuating i nea-ns; to one end iotitsassociatedspray; deflector: member wherebyzsaid, spray ,i-defleetor;member., ;zbe actuated; said spray -;defieetor :members each having-Janoblique end waihprovided;ratvtherend of thesmayv deflector. member:aopposite; the 'end to which said; aotuating meansisconnected;saidsprayidefieoton members alsogeachmavingabottom wallshaped to conformrto, the :outer configuration of said hull. whereby on?retraction: .Ofriihe spray :members into; thelrhousings the-open,sidesflthereofi will- Joe lo ed;- said obi'iduerendzkwalls permitting:move-2 ment, of saick hottomwalls: into 'positiomtm close saidmpensides-i, BRADFQRDW. PQWERS;

REEERENoEsnnEn r The ioilowingvreieroncesare-- ofrecord in z thefiieoofzthisi patent r UNITED STATES? PA'IENTS

